Mining machine



6 Sheets-Sheet MYl/d/ll 4'4.

MINING MACHINE w. N. A. VANDER HULST Originl Filed May 14, 1931 March 26, 1935.

March 26, 1935.

W. N. A. VANDER HULST MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 14, 1951 iwqnnm @Q/ 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mar h 26, 1935. w. N. A. VANDER HULST 1,99 ,7 4

MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 14, 1931 '6 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 26, 1935. w. N. A. VANDER HULST v 9 MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 14, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 GOA 49 5i March 26, 1935. wjm. A. VANDER HULST 1,995,724 I MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 14, 1951' 6 he t 5 March 26, 1935. w w. u, A. VANYDER HULST 1,995,724

MINING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed May 14, 1931 g] HHII llllllll Patented Mar. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT". OFFli'JEf- 1,995,724 l ltIINING MACHINE William N. A. Vander Hulst, Chicago, 111., as-

signor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 14, 1931, Serial No. 537,247

Renewed October 21, 1933 27 Claims. (01. 262-28) This invention relates to improvements in min ing machines, and more particularly to mining machines equipped with means for collecting the cuttings discharged from the kerf during the cutting operation and delivering'them to a point rearwardly of the machine and convenient for disposal.

The object of the invention is to provide a more efficient means for collecting the cuttings or slack removed from the kerf in the faceof the mine wall during the cutting operationand including a sectional telescoping chute-like -com veyor equipped with improved means for main taining the end of the chute against'the more'or less irregular contour of the-wall during thecutting operation.

The machine equipped'with the general type of cuttings-collecting and conveying apparatus is disclosed in a prior application filed by William T. McCullough on May 24,- 1930, hearing Serial No. 455,218, and issued as Patent No. 1,943,832, Jan uary 16, 1934, so that the present disclosure will be directed more particularly to the improved features calculated to increase the emciency'and facilitate the manipulation of the collecting and conveying mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a general view of the machine in side elevation showing the position of the parts during the cutting operation.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of the forward portion of the machine showing the cutter bar and cuttings-collecting mechanism with portions cut away to show its details.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the forward portion of the machine. 1

Figure 4 is a view in vertical section taken 0 line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view in horizontal section taken on line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the cutter bar and chute taken on' line 66 of Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 77 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section taken on line 83 of Figure 'I.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view in barizontal section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a view illustrative of the mining operation showing the manner in which the'initial or suznping cut is made into the face of the coal, and

Figure 11 is a similar View showing the position of the machine when one-half of the kerf is cut.

Referring to the machine in its general aspects, 'the same comprises a wheeled truck '1 adapted to travel on track's-T laid on the floor of the mine and extended into the room in which the cutting operations are being carried on, the tracks being shown as extending centrally thereof and approaching thecurvilinear face of thecoal at right angles (Figure I 10) Mounted upon the truck I is'a turntable 2 having adjacent'its center apair of-upright'ira'me members 3, 3 spaced apart and-supporting'betw'een them the cutting element 4 extending fore and aft the-supporting frames 3, 3 and comprising a main frame 5, a motor casing 6 at the rear of the main frame 5 and 'a cutter-bar 7 projecting forwardly from the main frame.

The entir'ecutting element 4 is capable of being raised and lowered bodily by gear members engaging vertical racks on the supporting frames 3 (not shown). The main frame 5 supports a vertical stub shaft 8 (Figure 4) having a large sprocket wheel 9 at its upper end for driving the cutter'chain 10 carried by the cutter bar 7. The stub shaft is suitably journalled in bearings 11, 11 housed by the main frame, and between the bearings is a large spiral gear wheel 12 meshing with a pinion 13 directly driven from the motor (not shown) within the casing 6. Other details of the cutter chain drive may be omitted.

As shown in Figure 3, the cutter chain 10 travels in a horizontal plane and in an endless path about the edge of the cutter bar 7, and carries a multiplicity of cutters l0 projecting laterally and at cliiferent angles to the horizontal, as shown in Figure l. The action of these moving cutters cutting the kerf in the coal as the cutter bar is fed or sumped into the coal and then swung horizontally in an are from one side to the other of the room is shown in Figures 10 and 11.

Referring now to the cuttings collecting apparatus, the same consists of a sectional telescoping casing or chute open at its top and extending along the sides and beneath the cutter bar. As shown, this chute consists of three sections as follows: Adjacent the inner end of the cutter bar is a fixed or stationary section 14 consisting of a pair of wall members of sheet metal having vertical portions I l embracing the sides of the cutter bar, converging portions 14* below the cutter bar sloping inwardly at angles of 45 to a point just above a frame 15 projecting forwardly from the turntable and consisting cssentially of the upright side plates 15, 15 of the primary cutting conveyor, which extends inwardly to the center of the turntable just above its top surface. Along the lower edges of the side wall portions 14 14 vertical flanges 14 14 are fixed to the inside of the side plates 15*, 15 for support by the conveyor frame 15, thus completing-the enclosure of a space between the rear end portion of the cutter bar and the forward portion of a traveling conveyor supported by frame 15 and later to be described.

The second and next section 16 of the chute is movable longitudinally of the outer bar and capable of being retracted into the fixed section 14 to the position as shown in Figure 2, or extended forwardly therefrom until the rear edge of the former just overlaps the forward edge of the latter as shown in Figure 4. This second section 16 has vertical upper edge portions 16 16 corresponding to those of 14, 14 of the fixed section 14, butspaced inwardly therefrom, as well as corresponding inwardly converging side walls 16 16 This section has a transverse sloping bottom wall 16, giving the section a more chute-like form, directed rearwardly into the space enclosed by the fixed section 14. The third and outer end section is a shallow rectangular trough- ;like member 17, telescoping within the second or intermediate section 16, and carrying at its :outer. edge a fan-like plate 18 projecting forwardly for contact along its outer curvilinear edge withthe faceof the coal. This plateis pivotally connectedat a point substantially cen trallyof the forward edge of the end section to swing-in a horizontal plane, as. the angle of the cutter bar to the face of the coal is varied during the cutting of a kerf, said plate being considerably wider than the chute proper in order to retrieve the greatest amount of the cuttings, This feature-of the apparatus will hereinafter be discussed more in detail.

The shiftable sections 16 and 17 (the latter including the plate 18) are supported for sliding movement lengthwise of the cutter bar 7 in the following manner: The cutter bar is slotted along its center line as at 7 (Figure 3), and extending downwardly through this slot are vertical brackets 19 and 20 which are fastened to the bottom walls of the sections 16 and 17, respectively, adjacent their forward edges. At the top of each bracket is a short cross bar 19 and 20 straddling the edges of the slot 7- in the cutter bar so that the brackets slide with the sections.

In addition, all of the sections are supported one upon the other by the following arrangement of parts: On the inner face of the upper wall portions 14 14 of the fixed section 14 are pairs of horizontal angle bars '21, 21 spaced apart to form guideways in which slide guide blocks 22, fastened to the rear edge of the adjacent telescoping section 16, there being stop blocks 23 mounted at the outer ends of the guideways to limit the outward extension of said section 16 (Figures 5 and 6). Similarly, on the inner faces of the vertical wall portions of the section 16 are pairs of guide bars 24, 24 forming a guideway for blocks 25, 25 fixed to the inner edge of the outermost section 17, and stop blocks 26, 26 at the outer ends of the guideways as before. In this way the several sections are maintained in horizontal alignment for telescoping sliding connection within predetermined limits.

In addition to the foregoing means of support and extensible connection, the sections are capable of being extended by man power from a station adjacent the turntable, and also to be forced outwardly and held in contact with the face of the coal by tension devices which, as will be presently pointed out, operate after the manner of the familiar shade roller. These actuating mechanisms will now be described:

Commencing in this instance with the outer end section 17,; (refer to Figures 4, 5 and'6) the upper side" edges of theouter section '17 are surmounted with angle members 27, 27 with their horizontal webs projecting outwardly and laterally above and beyond the upper edges of the intermediate section 16. These angle membars are moreover extended lengthwise beyond the rear end of the section and substantially the full length of" the intermediate section 16. Fixed to the under side and. near the outer edges of the horizontal webs of these angle bars 27 are rack bars 27 27 which mesh with pinions 28, 28 mounted at the inner ends of stub shafts 29 extending through and. journalled in bearings 29 mounted in the vertical walls 14 of the fixed section 14 and adjacent their forward edges (Figure 6). At the outer ends of these stub shafts are sprocket pinions 30, 30 carrying sprocket chains 31 passing rearwardly to crank actuated shaft 32 carrying sprocket wheels 32 at each end, together with a crank handle 32, 32 for manually rotating the shaft from either side of the machine (Figure 3). A ratchet wheel 33 (Figure 9) is mounted on each end of the shaft, and a pawl 33 pivoted to the adjacent wall of thesection;14 holds the shaft against rotation except when released for turning.

, Now, introduced between the three sections of the chute are the spring roller devices heretofore mentionedas functioning after the manner of a shade roller tomaintain the sections in relatively extended positions, so that the chute will follow and maintain contact withthe face of the coal during the cutting operation. Except for the length of these devices, they are substantially identical in their construction, so that a detailed description of one will be applicable to both.

The first to be described will be that between the outer section 17 and the intermediate section 16, the only parts of the complete device carried by the former being a pair of parallel rack bars 34, 34 extending lengthwise along the outer edges of the section 17, and depending from the bottom wall 1'! (Figures 4 and 6) The spring roller assembly 35 is mounted at the outer edge of the intermediate section and extends transversely just below the same with its ends journalled and supported in bearing brackets 35 in the form of plates projecting vertically downward from the side walls 16 16 of the section 16.

The main member of the assembly is a shaft 36 having bearing bushings 36 36 fixed to each end, the latter being journalled in the bearing brackets 35 with the ends of the shaft projecting beyond and terminating in squared extremities 36 to receive a crank handle (not shown). Surrounding the shaft between the bearing plates 35, 35 is a tubular housing 37 of a diameter such that an annular space is provided around the shaft 36 to enclose a heavy helical spring 38 coiled around the shaft and anchored at one (left) end to a radial pin 38 in the shaft and at its opposite end to the bearing bushing 36, the latter being fixed to the tubular housing by a pin 39 (Figure 6). The ends ofthe tubular housing are fixed to bearing bushings to form an integral unit capable of rotating on the shaft 36.

Now, the spring roller assembly has driving connection with the outer chute section 17 through a pair of gear wheels 40, 40 fixed to the tubular member 37 and which mesh with the rack bars 34, 34. A ratchet wheel 41 is keyed to the shaft 37 at one (left) end (Figure 6), and a pawl 42 pivotally mounted on the adjacent bearing plate 35* normally locks the shaft against rotation, although when required the pawl is released, a crank handle applied to the squared end of the shaft, and by rotating the latter the spring may be wound to the requiredtension.

As heretofore-stated, the same assemblyis located between the intermediate section 16 and the fixed section 14, the former being provided along its bottom with a pair of depending Webs 43, 43 extending its full length and having rack teeth along their lower phorizontal edges, the webs being triangular in shape owing to the in clination of the bottom wall 16, and are spaced closer together than the corresponding rack bars 34, 34 of the spring roller device just described. Also, the springroller assembly is shorter owing to the convergence of the side walls of the two rear sections 14 and 16 to conform to the width of the conveyor frame 15 beneath. In fact, this roller deviceis mounted at the forward end of the conveyor frame, being supported at its ends in the extreme ends of the sideframe members 15 15 thereof. Thus the main shaft 44 carries bearing bushings 44 44 at its ends which fit in bearings formed in said side frame members 15*. A tubular member 45 surrounds the shaft 44 as before, with its ends fitting over the bearing bushings. A helical spring 46 is coiled around the shaft and anchored thereto by a pin 44 at one end, and at its other end is anchored to a collar 4'7 loosely mounted on the shaft but fixed to the tubular housing 45 by a sleeve 48 surrounding the adjacent end of the housing and a pin 47 passing through the sleeve and housing and anchored in said collar. The sleeve 48 and housing 45 are also fixed to the bearing bushing 44 at the adjacent end by a pair of similar pins 48 Gear wheels 49, 49 are keyed to the tubular housing and these mesh with the rack teeth on the webs 43, 43 depending from the bottom wall of the section 16 above. At one end of the shaft 44 (Figures 7 and 8) is mounted a ratchet pinion 50, also a pawl O pivoted on the side frame member 15 normally holds the shaft against rotation but is releasable for winding the spring as before explained.

To complete the cuttings collecting mechanism carried by the cutter bar, the plate 18 requires further detailed treatment. As already stated, this plate is somewhat fan-shaped, with a curvilinear front edge preferably rounded or tubular in form along its contacting portion, its rounded end portions extending through slots 17 in the side walls 17* of the end section 17 and some distance beyond, and thence rearwardly and inwardly forming a deep V-shaped recess 18 in its rear edge. (Figure 3). At the apex of this V-shaped recess is a pivot bolt 51 by which the plate is fixed to the front edge of the end section 17 md free to turn in a horizontal plane sup-- ported by the bottom wall 17*. The swinging movement of the plate is limited by a pair of sliding rods 52, 52 pivotally connected near the forward edge of the plate and extending rearwardly on either side of the pivot bolt 51, and have sliding connection with a collars 52 mounted on the under side of the section 17. Coiled springs 53, 53 surround the rods and yieldingly resist the swinging of the plate in either direction about its axis.

The conveyors operating in conjunction with the collecting device will now be briefly discussed: One of these conveyors is mounted on the turntable 2 and comprises an endless horizontal belt 54 supported bythe conveyor frame 15 already identified as extending beneath the fixed section 14 of the collectingdevice. At the outer end of the frame 15 is a pulley 55 about which the belt passes and thence over, a. longitudinal plate 56 to the inner or rear end of the conveyor frame where it passes around a large pulley 57 driven through a sprocket 58 and chain159 driven from a driving sprocket 60 having driving connection with the cutter chain driving mechanism (Figures 1 and 4). The inner end of the conveyor belt is located above a large opening 2 at the center of the turntable 2, so that material discharged therefrom drops through the opening and directly upon the secondary conveyor 61 carried by the truck and extending longitudinally from front to rear thereof.

This secondary conveyor 61 (Figures 1 and 4) consists preferably of parallel spaced chains 61 with cross bars 61 .at intervals which travel over fixed plates forming a trackway 62 for the material conveyed. The conveyor travels about pulleys 63, 63 at either end with intermediate guide pulleys 64, its direction of movement as shown in Figure 1 being rearwardly of thetruck frame beneath the turntable, thence sloping upwardly resumes a horizontal direction along a frame 65 projecting rearwardly from the truck-at about the same level as that of the cutter bar.

Now, with the aid of the Figures and 11 the action of the cuttings collecting device will be explained. In Figure 10 the machine is shown as about to make a cut in the curvilinear face of the coal at the end of the room in which it is working. The turntable 2 is swung to the right so that the cutter bar is positioned at about a 45 angle to the track, and by advancing the machine-forwardly on the track to the dotted line position the cutter bar cuts its way obliquely into the coal for the initial or sumping out.

It will be observed that the collecting device even in extended position only embraces the inner half or two-thirds of the length of the cutter bar, so that contact is not made with the plate 18 until the initial cut has been partially completed, the plate then being swung into an angular position to conform to the obliquity of the cutter bar to the face of the coal, as shown in the dotted line position of Figure 10. The cut is from right to left, and the travel of the cutter chain is counter-clockwise so that the cuttings are discharged at the leading edge of the cutter bar and onto the plate 18, and thence rearwardly along the sections of the collecting chute beneath the cutter bar and emptied into the first conveyor, and thence carried rearwardly to the center opening in the turntable and finally into the second conveyor for disposal at the rear of the machine.

The sumping out, however, is not completed when the plate 18 makes contact with the face of the coal, but the cutter bar continues into the coal to a predetermined depth and then the arcuate swing of the cutter bar is commenced by the rotation of the turntable to the left. Thus from the time the plate 18 makes contact with the coal until the cutter bar has sunk to the full depth of the kerf, the sections of the collecting device are forced rearwardly into retracted or telescoped form as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Now, this rearward or retractive movement of one section relative to another not only reduces the length of the chute to that of the fixed section 14, but causes the tubular member of the two spring roller devices between the sections to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby winding up their springs until suflicient tension has been created to not only maintain the for ward edge of the chute against the face of the coal, but to cause it to follow any irregularities in its surface as the cutting proceeds. Thus the cuttings are retrieved regardless of whether the cutter bar is moving into or out of the coal as it is being swung across the face in the cutting of the kerf. The tension of the springs is regulated by releasing the pawl and ratchet locks at the ends of the main shafts of these spring roller devices, and these shafts may be rotated by means of a crank to initially wind the springs to the desired tension or the springs may be unwoundunder their own tension if less effective tension is desired. So also, the spring roller devices may be rendered inoperative by allowing the same pawl and ratchet locking devices to remain disengaged, whereupon the parts merely turn freely as the sections of the chute are extended or collapsed. It is sometimes necessary to operate the machine in this way, and as a' convenient means of governing the extension of the chute sections by hand, the crank actuated shaft 32 with its sprocket chains extended forwardly to' the outer end section 1'1, permitsthe operator to manipulate the chute from its rear end.

Having set forth a preferred embodiment of my invention,

I claim:

1. In a mining machine, the combination of cutting mechanism including a cutter bar and a cuttings-collecting member associated with said cutter bar and comprising a plurality of longitudinally extensible sections, and tension'actuated gear members mounted intermediate said sections for shifting the same relative to each other in one direction.

2. In a mining machine, the combination of cutting mechanism including a cutter bar and a cuttings-collecting member associated with said cutter bar and comprising a plurality of longitudinally extensible sections and spring actuated devices intermediate adjacent sections including a rack and pinion for shifting the same relative to each other.

3. In a mining machine, the combination of cutting mechanism including a cutter bar and a cuttings-collecting member associated with said cutter bar and comprising a plurality of tele scoping sections extensible longitudinally of said cutter bar, a gear wheel journalled on one of said sections and meshing with rack teeth on an adjacent section, and tension means acting on said gear wheel to impart a rotative movement thereto in one direction.

a. In a mining machine, the combination of cutting mechanism including a cutter bar and a cuttings-collecting member associated with said cutter bar and comprising a plurality of telescoping sections extensible longitudinally of said cutter bar, a transverse shaft journalled on one of said sections, gear members mounted on said shaft and meshing with rack teeth on an adjacent section, and tension means acting onsaid shaft to impart a rotative movement thereto in one direction.

5. In a mining machine, the combination of cutting mechanism including a cutter bar and a cuttings-collecting member associated with said cutter bar and comprising a plurality of sections extensible from a telescoping position toward the end of said cutter bar, a transverse shaft mounted adjacent the forward end of one of said sections, a gear member journalled on said shaft and having driving connections with an adjacent section, and a spring connecting said shaft with said gear member.

6. In a mining machine, the combination of cutting mechanism including a cutter bar and a cuttings-collecting member associated with said cutter bar and comprising a plurality of sections extensible from a telescoping position toward the end of said cutter bar, a transverse shaft journalled at the forward endof one of said .sections, gear wheels journalled on said shaft and having driving connections with rack teeth on the section forwardly of said first mentioned section, and a spring connecting said shaft and gear wheels for imparting rotative movement thereto in one direction.

7. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, cutting mechanism. mounted on said truck comprising a cutter bar, a cuttingsconveying chute extending beneath said'cutter bar and terminating adjacent its inner end and comprising a fixed sectionand an extensible section, a shaft journalled at the forward end of said fixed section, a tubular member journalled on said shaft and provided with radial gear teeth, said extensible section having rack teeth meshing with said gear member and a helical spring surrounding said shaft with one end fixed thereto and its other end fixed to said tubular member.

8. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said truck comprising a cutter bar, a cuttingsconveying chute extending forwardly beneath said cutter bar from its inner end and comprising telescoping sections, a transverse shaft journalled at one end of one of said sections, a tubular member journalled on said shaft and provided with a gear member, the adjacent section having a rack meshing with said gear member and a helical spring surrounding said shaft with one end fixed thereto, and its other end fixed to said tubular member, and means permitting the rotation of said shaft to increase or decrease the tension of said spring.

9. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said truck and including a horizontal cutter bar adapted to swing through an arcuate path about a vertical axis, a cuttings-collecting chute extending beneath said cutter bar and forwardly from a point adjacent its inner end toward its outer end and consisting of a fixed section and an extensible section shiftable longitudinally to and from a telescoping position relative to said fixed section, and a spring roller extending transversely of the forward end of said fixed section and beneath said extensible section, the latter having a rack engaging a gear member on said spring roller.

10. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said truck and including a horizontal cutter bar adapted to swing through an arcuate path about a vertical axis, a cuttings-collecting chute extending beneath said cutter bar and forwardly from a point adjacent its inner end toward its outer end and consisting of a relatively extensible section shiftable longitudinally to and from a telescoping position, and spring roller devices mounted intermediate said sections including means for adjusting the tension exerted by said devices on said sections to extend the same in one direction.

11. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said truck and including a horizontal cutter bar adapted to swing through an arcuate path about a vertical axis, a cuttings-collecting chute extending beneath said cutter bar and forwardly from a point adjacent its inner end toward its outer end and consisting of a fixed section and an extensible section shiftable longitudinally to and from a telescoping position relative to said fixed section, and a spring roller extending transversely of the forward end of said fixed section and beneath said extensible section, said roller having a gear wheel and said extensible section a rack fixed to its bottom wall and engaging said ear wheel.

12. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said truck, including a cutter bar, a cuttings-collecting chute extending-beneath said cutter bar and extensible longitudinally thereof, and a plate pivotally mounted at the outer end of said chute" and having a curvilinear forward'edge adapted to contact with the face of the coal andend'portions extending laterally beyondthe sides of said chute.

13. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said truck, including a cutter bar, a cuttings-collecting chute associated with said cutter bar and extensible longitudinally beneath the same, and a plate pivotally mounted centrally of the outer end of said chute and having curvilinear portions projecting beyond the front and side edges of the end of the chute.

14. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said truck, including a cutter bar, a cuttings-collecting member associated with said cutter bar and comprising a plurality of telescoping sections extensible longitudinally beneath said cutter bar, and a plate pivotally mounted at a point centrally of the forward edge of the outermost section for turning through a predetermined angle with its forward edge in contact with the face of the coal being cut.

15. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said turntable including a cutter bar, and a cuttings-collecting chute associated with said-cutter bar and comprising a plurality of telescoping sections extensible longitudinally of said cutter bar, the outermost section including a plate projecting forwardly and laterally beyond the front and side edges thereof for contact with the face of the coal being cut, said plate having pivotal connection with said section and adapted to swing through a limited angle to present its forward edge to said face of the coal.

16. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said frame comprising a cutter bar adapted to be swung in an arcuate path relative to said frame, a cutting-conveying chute extending beneath said cutter bar and outwardly from its inner end, said chute comprising extensible sections and a plate forming a forward and lateral extension of the bottom wall of the outermost section and pivotally mounted centrally of the forward edge thereof and adapted to turn through a limited angle to present its forward edge to'the face of the coal in the swinging of said cutter bar during the cutting operation.

17. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck. cutting mechanism mounted on said truck comprising a cutter bar adapted to be swung in an arcuate path relative to said frame,

.a cuttings-conveying chute extending beneath said cutter bar and outwardly from its inner end, said chute comprising extensible sections, a plate forming a forward and lateral extension of the bottom wall of the outermost section and'pivotally mounted centrally of the forward edge thereof-and adapted to rotate through a limited angle to presentits forward edge to the face of the coal section and meshing withsaid pinion, and manually operative means for rotating said pinion.

19. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said truck and including a cutter bar, a cuttingscollecting chute extending beneath said cutter bar from a point adjacent its inner end toward the face of the mine wall being cut, and comprising a fixed section and a plurality of extensible sections slidable to and from a telescoping position within said fixed section, a pinion journalled at the outer end of said fixed section, a rack extending rearwardly from the foremost of said extensible sections and meshing with said pinion and manually operative crank means mounted adjacent the inner end of said fixed section and operatively connected with said pinion.

20. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, cutting mechanism mounted on said truck and including a cutter bar, a cuttingscollecting chute extending beneath said cutter bar from a point adjacent its inner end toward the face of the mine wall being cut, and comprising a fixed inner section and a plurality of extensible sections having telescoping sliding connection with each other and said fixed section, a stub shaft journalled adjacent the outer end of said fixed section, a pinion carried by said stub shaft, the endmost section having a rack bar extending rearwardly therefrom and engaging said pinion, a crank operated sprocket pinion mounted adjacent the inner end of said fixed section and a sprocket chain connecting said sprocket pinion with a complementary pinion mounted on said stub shaft.

21. In a mining machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, cutting mechanism mounted 'on said truck and including a cutter bar, a cuttingscollecting chute extending beneath said cutter bar from a point adjacent its inner end toward the face of the mine wall being cut, and comprising a plurality of extensible sections having telescoping sliding connection with each other, stub shafts journalled adjacent the outer end of the innermost section, pinions carried by said stub shafts, the outermost section having rack bars extending rearwardly therefrom and engaging said pinions, a crank operated shaft journalled adjacent the inner end of said cutter vbar, sprocket wheels mounted on said shaft, andsprocket chains connecting said sprocket pinions with complementary pinions mounted on said pinion stub shafts.

22. In a mining machine, the combination of cutting mechanism including a cutter bar and a cuttings-collecting member associated with said cutter bar and comprising a plurality of longitudinally extensible sections, and tension actu-i ated gear members mounted-intermediatev said sections for shifting the same :relative to eachother.

cutter bar and comprising a plurality of-longitudinally extensible sections and tension actuated rotatable devices intermediate adjacentsectionsfor shifting the samerelative to each other.-l.

24. In. a machine; "the combination-of cutting mechanism includinga cutter bar and :a cuttings-collecting member associated with said cutter bar and comprising a plurality of :longi+ a lyo ex ensibl r r 9t ions.--.an s rin roller:

devices intermediate adjacent sections {for shift:

ing the same-relativeto each other. i

25. Ina machine, Quttingmechanis'm and said-pinion. therefor including" a projecting cutter'bar.:havin'g I 'WILLIAM a cutter chain movable thereabout, and meansassociated with said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings discharged by said cutter chain comprising a cuttings collecting member including a sec-v tion extensible longitudinally of said cutter bar and a tension actuated rotatable device for shifting said section relative to saidcutter. bar including a rotatable member having a tension member arranged with its center substantially coaxia with the axis of rotation thereof 26. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism therefor including a projecting cutter bar having a cutter chain movable-thereabout; and means associated with said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings discharged by said cutterchain comprising a cuttings collecting member including a section extensible longitudinally of said cutter bar anda tension actuated gear member for shifting said section relative to saidrcutter bar includ- V J 7 r ing-a rotatable member having operative connec- 23. In a mininglmachine, the combination of cutting mechanism including acutter bar and a cuttings-collecting member associated with said.

section vrelative to ,saidcutter :bar including a rack, a .pinion;-meshing therewith and an operative connection between said spring roller device v Ni AvAr IDER HuLs'r. 

